The "great book" [presumably Dr Erasmus Darwin’s commonplace book, see Erasmus Darwin, p. iii] arrived safely.

Can RD supply a photograph of [Breadsall] Priory?

Asks CD to join W. H. Flower and Huxley in signing a memorial in support of Dr Coues. He is a U.S. Army surgeon who has been working on an ornithological bibliography and needs support to complete his work in England.

Will try to find an engraving of [Breadsall] Priory.

Offers a photograph of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s house in Derby.

NvM is 17 years old. Confused by reading CD’s works and Ernst Haeckel’s Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte [1868]. Can a believer in CD’s theory believe in God?

"I have signed the enclosed with pleasure."

Thanks AN for his kind expression about Frank [Darwin].

Sends a sample of seeds of Onobrychis sativa and Poterium muricatum, plants that show mimicry.

Has been "deeply interested by the great book" [see 11966]. Asks permission to publish extracts.

Did Dr Darwin go to Edinburgh when his son, Charles, died? Asks whether RD has ever heard a story about Dr Darwin that had been told to CD by the Galtons.

Is interested to hear of CD’s life of Dr Erasmus Darwin. There is no photo of Breadsall Priory, but she would be happy to make a drawing of it.

Sends specimens from F. Müller.

Criticises A. R. Wallace’s review of Grant Allen’s The colour-sense [Nature 19 (1879): 501–5].

CD made an ordinary member of the Royal Danish Academy. [See 11984.]

Is glad CD has found interest in "the old book" [Dr Erasmus Darwin’s commonplace book].

Discusses Erasmus Darwin and his belongings, which RD has inherited.

Owns a portrait of Erasmus Darwin by Joseph Wright of Derby.

Suggests that mimicry of sainfoin by burnet plants is an adaptation against farmers’ weeding.

Details of family history. Has discovered Dr Darwin did get to Edinburgh before his son, Charles, died.

The more CD reads of Dr Darwin the higher he rises in his estimation.

Is tired of writing letters, "half the fools throughout Europe write to ask me the stupidest questions".

Has found a pamphlet of 1780 about Charles Darwin [1758–78].

RD’s sister, Violetta, has found some early verses and a MS by Dr Erasmus Darwin.

Gives some examples of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s benevolence; will forward some books that may interest CD.

Research for Erasmus Darwin. CD has always thought there is one "golden rule" for biographers: "not to insert anything which … would interest only the members of the Family".

Discusses material for Erasmus Darwin including an engraved portrait by Joseph Wright.

He has nothing at all to send in answer to CD’s questions respecting the book on Erasmus Darwin.

Sends her sketch of [Breadsall] Priory, as renovated by present owner.

Answers CD’s query about Robert Darwin of Lincoln’s Inn.

Sends an introduction for Leonard Darwin to their tenants at Elston Hall.